In October 2026 I posted a LinkedIn thread for engineering managers and leadership highlighting that being hands‑on is now a de‑facto expectation across engineering roles.
Decision: EMs should prioritize building hands‑on technical skills. Why: Companies explicitly list “being hands‑on” as a requirement; meeting this demand improves employability and career progression.
Decision: Align personal branding and résumé to reflect current market needs. Why: Presenting oneself in terms that match employer expectations increases the likelihood of job opportunities.
Decision: Avoid investing heavily in niche or speculative technologies that lack current market interest. Why: Uncertain future demand makes such investments risky; focusing on proven, in‑demand skills yields more reliable career outcomes.
- Market Scan – Regularly review job postings, industry reports, and hiring trends to spot the most requested skills (e.g., “hands‑on”, specific languages, cloud platforms).
These actions reflect the broader market reality that "literally all about supply and demand" and that "Focus on what companies are looking for, and present yourself accordingly".
- Skill Gap Analysis – Compare personal skill set against identified market demands and pinpoint gaps.
- Targeted Learning – Allocate weekly time to hands‑on practice (coding, system design, incident response) and up‑skill in high‑demand areas.
- Resume/LinkedIn Alignment – Rewrite professional summaries to highlight hands‑on experience and recent relevant projects.
- Feedback Loop – After each application or interview, solicit feedback on perceived skill gaps and refine focus accordingly.